Tandem approach for the synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from alcohols

Propylphosphonic anhydride (®T3P) is shown to be an effective and mild reagent for the one-pot synthesis of imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines from a variety of alcohols. Alcohols are oxidized in situ to aldehydes under mild conditions, which in turn undergo a three-component reaction with various 2-aminopyridines and isocyanides to afford imidazo[1,2-a]pyridines in excellent yields. ®T3P acts as an activator for both DMSO in oxidation reaction and the Schiff base in nucleophilic addition reaction with isocyanides.